To the editor: It will be naive to imagine that neither sexism nor racism performed a job in Vice President Kamala Harris’ defeat final month. However discuss of her because the titular chief of the Democratic Get together or a possible candidate for one more workplace requires that Democrats be clear-eyed — first in regards to the celebration’s failings, and second about Harris’ shortcomings. (“For many Black women, Kamala Harris’ defeat felt like a betrayal. Now what?” column, Dec. 18)
Sticking to what has been its path since at the least Invoice Clinton, the Democratic Get together continues to like humanity however not achieve this effectively with lots of people. Now it’s even dropping the ethnic minorities it took as a right.
As for Harris’ shortcomings, the short succession of shifting marketing campaign themes — first it was “pleasure” (which was actually simply aid), then “it’s all about abortion,” and at last “Donald Trump is a fascist” — demonstrated that she was no higher a nominee in 2024 than when she was the primary to get out of the marketing campaign in 2019. She ought to head for personal life.
Democrats should do way over merely work on their “messaging.” Messaging is simply the TV jingle, the label on the pet food can.
In different phrases, the election was not a “betrayal” — not of girls or Black voters generally. Whereas it’s unclear that anybody may have crushed Trump beneath the circumstances in 2024, the consequence should not be dismissed as a one-off.
David Van Iderstine, Los Angeles
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To the editor: Sure, what Teja Smith and different Black girls leaders really feel is real. However we have to bear in mind Harris got here inside 1.5 proportion factors of profitable the favored vote, and that was due to folks like Smith who’ve lead us with understanding, morality and goodness.
I’m a 78-year-old white lady who follows their lead. My husband and I donated cash to the marketing campaign, labored telephone banks and went door to door. When this election was misplaced, we felt just like the arc of justice had crashed at our toes.
However my associates jogged my memory that we should proceed the battle, and possibly the arc is longer than we assumed.
On Nov. 11, we attended a household reunion. All of us labored laborious for this election and have been heartbroken. We finally determined there are methods to perform or work towards our objectives inside our communities.
Our nation must get to the top of the journey. To folks like Smith, I say: Please don’t abandon your management, as a result of we’d like you.
Cheryl Youthful, Los Angeles
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To the editor: It’s not that Individuals of any race received’t vote for a Black lady for president. It’s simply that they didn’t need the lady who was truly operating.
The bulk needed somebody who was nominated, not anointed. They needed somebody who would reply to a query in fewer than 500 phrases.
Harris’ entire marketing campaign message could possibly be summed up as, “Should you preferred President Biden, you’ll love me.” The bulk didn’t like both one.
John Weber, Pomona
